Franco emerges as the leader of OK Jazz

Born in a village in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi became known throughout Africa simply as Franco – or by his nickname, the "Sorcerer of the Guitar". In 1960, he emerged as the leader of OK Jazz when singer Vicky Longomba left the band, and he stayed at its helm through several metamorphoses until his death aged 51 in 1989. By then, soukous as it was known, was the sound of the continent, and state radio played nothing but his songs for four days.

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